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Services & Procedures

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Diabetes (Eye Care)

If you are diabetic, your body does not use or store sugar properly. High blood sugar levels can damage the delicate blood vessels in the retina (the nerve layer in the back of the eye). When this damage is present, it is known as diabetic retinopathy.

A medical examination is the best way to detect early changes. Dr. Ballitch is an Eye M.D., or ophthalmologist, who can diagnose diabetic retinopathy before you are aware of any vision problems. During the exam, your eyes are dilated, and examined with special equipment and lenses. Special tests may be ordered if changes are suspected or present. In some cases, you may be asked to see a specialist in diabetic retinopathy.

The best treatment is to prevent the development of retinopathy. Strict blood sugar control significantly reduces the long-term risk of vision loss from diabetes. Annual dilated examination with an ophthalmologist is an important step in the over-all management of diabetes and the prevention of visual complications. More frequent visits may be necessary if complications develop.

Links

www.diabetes.org

Dry Eye Syndrome

Dr. Ballitch evaluates and treats patients frequently with dry eyes.

The eye normally produces tears at a slow, steady rate allowing it to be constantly moisturized. If you don’t produce enough tears, or produce tears that are not of appropriate quality, you are said to have Dry Eye Syndrome.

The tear film is composed of three layers:

Oily layer (produced by meibomian glands)
Watery layer (produced by the lacrimal gland)
Mucus layer (produced by the conjunctiva)

Symptoms of dryness include stinging or burning, a feeling of scratchiness or foreign body sensation, stringy mucus in or around the eyes, excessive irritation from smoke or wind, excessive tearing, and/or contact lens intolerance. While “excessive tearing” may sound illogical, it happens as a reflex in an effort to keep the eyes lubricated. The gland that produces the watery layer of the tear film is stimulated in response to ocular discomfort. Symptoms may be worse during dry winter weather, or if you have systemic conditions like arthritis. Certain medications can also contribute to the problem.

Dry eye can be treated with eye drops, or artificial tears, that are of similar quality to natural tears. These are available over-the-counter, and can be used frequently. In some cases, it may be necessary to occlude the punctum (small opening in the lid that facilitates the drainage of tears) in one or both eyelids to decrease the drainage. In severe cases, this closure can be surgically done (a permanent treatment).

Advanced Eye Care Center has introduced a new, advanced in-office treatment, called LipiFlow®.

Historically, common therapies aimed at dry eye symptom relief included using warm compresses, over- the-counter wetting drops and ointments, and prescription drugs. Alternatively, the new LipiFlow treatment addresses the root cause of evaporative dry eye by unblocking the meibomian glands that secrete oily lipids.

If you have tried any of the following to treat your dry eye symptoms with limited success, but want a long-term solution, you need to try LipiFlow:

RESTASIS®
TheraLife®
Over-the-counter lubricating drops
Macrolides antibiotic
Natural supplements and oils
Prescription eye inserts (Punctal plugs)
Warm compresses

In controlled clinical studies of patients who received a single LipiFlow treatment, the average meibomian gland score at 4 weeks increased by two to three times over the baseline condition, which reflects improvement in the number of glands secreting and secretion quality. Additionally, at four weeks after the LipiFlow treatment, 79% of patients reported improvement in dry eye symptoms.

To schedule your dry eye appointment with Dr.Kaur call 419-521-3937.

Links